On the roster: Pennsylvania artist creates Heinz Field image of Steelers player names
This picture is worth 1,608 words.
Word artist Dan Duffy handwrote the name of every Steelers football player dating back to 1933 in a way that it created what appears to be the likeness of Heinz Field.
Duffy, who owns Art of Words, creates caligrams — words arranged in a way so that they form a picture. He uses his handwriting skills to turn words into images of iconic people, places and moments in history.
An avid sports fan, he decided to make the piece as a way to connect generations of football fans in the Steel City.
The standard size is 16 inches x 20 inches.
The cost is $54.99 and available online here.
“Fans love these drawings because they can search out their favorite player’s name,” said Duffy, who lives in Montgomery County near Philadelphia. “It helps them relive sports memories.”
Duffy began the piece by starting in the upper left with the players from 1933. He worked his way across and down. The most recent will be at the bottom on the right. It took him roughly 200 hours, which includes research, sketching, writing and coloring.
The idea to do this form of art came when he was dating his now-wife, Jessica, in 2008. He made an illustration for her from the scores of games for the Philadelphia Phillies when they won the World Series.
He made prints and began walking through parking lots at Phillies games selling his art.
Duffy, who played rugby at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said friends and family have been urging him to do the Steelers piece. He has a connection to the city through family living in South Park. The timing is perfect as the Steelers open the season Sunday at the Buffalo Bills.
Duffy created a drawing of Bill Mazeroski by writing every game score for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1960s World Series season as well as a Willie Stargell image of every game score for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 World Series season.
Duffy has also thought of doing a University of Pittsburgh-inspired piece. He has already done a piece for Pitt’s rival — a drawing of Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
“I always enjoyed art class,” said Duffy, who has been a full-time artist since 2012.
He begins with a design sketch before adding any names or numbers. He said he can figure out how big to make the letters once he begins the process. Duffy uses colored pens and markers.
He is right-handed and said he believes it would be difficult to do what he does left-handed because the words might smear.
Duffy takes requests to do something similar with other sports teams — well most, anyway — except two.
“There are two teams I will never do,” said Duffy. “The Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I don’t like the Cowboys and I am a Flyers fan.”
For the Steelers piece, Duffy decided to donate a portion of proceeds to the ALS Association. Duffy had made a print to give to former Steelers offensive tackle and broadcaster Tunch Ilkin. He died on Saturday from ALS at the age of 63.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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